Q: I have a large pomegranate tree in my yard that was here when I purchased the house nine years ago. It has been flowering and producing fruit each year. The pomegranate has a double red and orange flower; and one of the fruit fell into a pot and produced three plants. I planted them about three years ago and this is the first year for they bloomed. To my amazement, they have white flowers. How is that possible with the seeds coming from a red and orange flowering plant?

A: Sexual reproduction in plants will reflect characteristics of both the mother and the father and some of the predecessors. The pomegranate can have scarlet, white or variegated flowers. Enjoy them.

Q: I’ve been given conflicting information from different lawn care services about weed barrier and would like to know the real answer! Is it important to use a weed barrier when creating a garden? I believe it is, but I’ve been told that it is not.

A: I don’t know the real answer. However, if you are creating a garden where you will be planting seed or setting out annual vegetables or ornamental plants the use of weed barrier cloth will just hamper your efforts.

If you are planting ornamental perennials and know where you want them, its use may be of value. However, if you plan to use mulch around your plants it becomes an unnecessary expense as the mulch will do the same job: suppressing the weeds. In my opinion, it is not necessary in any case.

Q: Our Copper Canyon daisies are very big this year. However, they still haven’t had any flowers. What can I do to help them to flower?

A: Copper Canyon daisy (Tagetes lemonii) is a fall blooming perennial. The only thing you can do is have patience. It will probably be September or later before any blooms appear. While you wait, you can enjoy that very distinct aroma of the foliage.

Special thanks to Forrest W. Appleton, the “Answer Man” at www.plantanswers.com and all the Master Gardeners of the “Hotline” in support of the weekly gardening questions and answers.

Listen to a live broadcast of the “Garden Show” with David Rodriguez and Bill Rohde on WOAI-AM 1200 every Saturday morning, between 8 and 11a.m., and call in your gardening questions at 737-1200 or (800) 383-9624.

David Rodriguez represents the Texas AgriLife Extension Service as an extension horticulturalist with the Texas A&M University System. To submit questions, call the Bexar County Master Gardeners Hotline at 467-6575, e-mail questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit the county extension Web site at http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu.